WASHINGTON — City Administrator Tim Gleason said Monday he’s patiently waiting for the Washington Fire Department board to initiate a discussion about the city’s annual contract with the department.

The contract includes a $600,000 payment to the department, more than 60 percent of its budget.

“We’re being patient because we understand the board has a lot on its plate,” Gleason said after a City Council meeting.

Council normally approves the contract before its May 1 start date, but the action was delayed until July because of financial uncertainties caused by the Nov. 17 tornado.

After a public outcry over the fire department board’s plans to not renew fire Chief Mike Vaughn’s contract and a major shakeup of board personnel, city officials decided last month to delay contract approval once again.

Board members expressed concerns last week at their monthly meeting about not having a contract with the city.

They also met in executive session with Vaughn, whose contract expired July 31 but was extended 90 days to give the board time to discuss with Vaughn their differences in philosophies.

The five-member board has only three members because the Central Fire Protection District hasn’t named a new representative and an at-large member hasn’t been selected by the board.

The only city contract concern that has been made public is its desire for the board’s at-large member to be a second city representative.

Board President Will Gallaway is the city’s lone representative.

Steve Stein can be reached at 686-3114 or stevestein21@yahoo.com. Read his Stein Time blog on pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpartanSteve.